By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2025 International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Global Africa Conference will be hosted by Nigeria, the Managing Director of the organisation for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Ms Lara Paemen, has announced.
Ms Paemen made this announcement during her recent visit to Nigeria, saying this underscores the country’s growing importance in the international facility management landscape.
The IFMA chief was the president of the IFMA Nigeria chapter, Mr Olalekan Akinwumi, at the organisation’s secretariat in Lagos.
She used the occasion to unveil an initiative aimed at encouraging student participation in the World Workplace (WWP) event, extending the program to three African students, one from Nigeria, and two from other African nations.
These students will receive complimentary access to WWP and will be given accommodation. The visit marked a pivotal moment for collaboration and strategic discussions.
In his response, Mr Akinwumi expressed gratitude for Ms Paemen’s visionary leadership as the Managing Director of IFMA EMEA and sought more support from the global body located in Houston, United States of America.
Mr Akinwunmi’s predecessor, Mr Segun Adebayo, highlighted the Nigeria chapter’s achievements over its 27 years, noting that the chapter’s collaborative efforts have brought value to the country through various events in promoting the organisation and building relationships with both the corporate and public sectors, thereby increasing membership.
In 2023, the Chapter co-hosted an event on Delivering Effective and Sustainable FM in the Built Environment at Nigeria’s largest construction industry event, Big 5 Construct Nigeria.
It has collaborated with various institutions including the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Lagos State Safety Commission, and the University of Lagos to champion notable causes within the built environment.